Former E! News presenter Maria Menounos has opened up about being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer just weeks after learning their surrogate was pregnant after years of trying for a child
Maria and her husband, Kevin Undergaro, are expecting a baby girl in the Summer.
The 44-year-old told People magazine: “This whole year has been trauma, stress, crisis.
“There was a minute when we were planning a baby shower, and then it all came too much. I thought, ‘I just need to heal’.”
She revealed she was diagnosed with stage 2 pancreatic cancer after an MRI scan picked up a mass. She underwent surgery to remove it and is now keen to raise awareness of being diagnosed early.
Maria, who hosts the Heal Squad podcast, was diagnosed and treated for a benign brain tumour back in 2017, so she is not shy about talking about her health issues.
She said: “I was feeling so good and then got slapped in the face with this new diagnosis. I’d scream out loud. I was inconsolable.”
Maria said the cancer had not been detected in a CT scan, but she was still in a lot of stomach pain. A whole-body MRI discovered a 3.9cm tumour.
Her prognosis is good after doctors told her she would not need further treatment. She now requires an annual scan.
The couple is busy putting together their daughter’s nursery and looking forward to her arrival.
Maria said: “God granted me a miracle. I’m going to appreciate having her in my life so much more than I would have before this journey.”
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